The Illinois River at Ottawa will crest at about 466 ft. on Tuesday, May 2, according to National Weather Service estimates. While the NWS forecast a few days ago predicted record-setting highs, a level of 466 feet would not make it into the top 5 all-time high water marks. Still, area residents and businesses are feeling the effects of closed roads and parking lots, flooded basements, mud and debris. Two power outages at SRYC over the weekend and well as road closures along Dee Bennett added to the inconvenience and uncertainty. If the forecast is accurate, our docks will rise about 6 feet, then fall back to normal over the next few days.
Recent high water marks include two in 2015 — 468.06 ft on 12/30/2015, occurring over New Year’s weekend, and 467.86 ft on 06/17/2015, responsible for the cancellation of that year’s Miss Riverbottom event in Peoria.
News coverage of the flooding:
Video from the News Trib
WALLS 102 roving reporter.
Photos from the News Tribune
From the Ottawa Times
Local interviews from the News Trib
From the Peoria Journal-Star
UPDATE: The river crested at 466.46 early Tuesday, May 2, and is expected to fall gradually over the next week.
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